Simmons enclosed a letter to Mr. Paul McDermot late of the Cavalry. Simmons requested Henley deliver the letter to McDermot and procure a compliance quickly.
Simmons encloses letter for Paul McDermot late of cavalry. Is informed that McDermot lives in Henley's vicinity and asks for assistance ensuring no time lost in sealing and delivering correspondence.
Certification that $66.64 is due Nicholas Fish, Supervisor at New York, being the amount of his account on receiving and paying monies from the War Department during the quarter ending Sept. 30, 1797.
Enclosed is a requisition on Mr. Harris for the articles Ensign Boote needs for the recruiting service at New Brunswick. Secretary of War McHenry notes that Lieutenant Steele at Carlisle has heard nothing of his clothing but Jones has informed McHenry that he is confident that it have been sent.
It does not appear that Mr. Houdin has ever viewed the cannon at Fort Rennselear or done anything relative to McHenry's order except talk to Mr. Glass about it. He must have known that it is too late in the season to transport the artillery to Michilimackinac. Though the effort must be abandoned for now, arrangements must be made to ensure that there is no delay in the Spring.
Submits affidavits concerning the burning of a British ship, the Oracabessa [also spelled Aracabessa] by a French privateer, and the failure of a U.S. revenue cutter to protect it. The Oracabessa was stranded off the South Carolina coast near Charleston; Pinckney calls this "a wanton violation of the neutrality of the United States." These affadavits are not actually included.
Among other matters, Captain Guion discusses the delay of the chiefs in arriving at Fort Adams to receive their annuities. The delay is due to several causes including Piamingo's having to stay at home to defend his town against the Creek Indians who, it was reported, were planning an attack on the Chickasaws.
In this extract, McHenry requests that Lieutenant Colonel Rochefontaine send a skillful and attentive officer to New York to recruit and signify his name to Mr. Jones at the office so that recruiting money may be forwarded. Note from clerk Jones indicates that Lt. David Hale detached for this duty.
Reports on salient issues of national defense, that the president may include them in his upcoming State of the Union address to Congress. Advises that the president call for an increase in the U.S. armed forces, regardless of the optimism regarding negotiations with France, Britain, and the belligerent powers of Europe, as it would be unwise to depend on a favorable outcome. Notes that French privateers continue to plague American shipping. Reports briefly on the Indian boundary line project, not yet completed, and then at more length about the efforts of foreign powers to "excite [the Indians] to actual warfare" against the U.S. Also comments on the slowness of the Spanish to respond to the articles of Pinckney's Treaty (1795). Also responds to Adams' question about whether Congress should convene elsewhere, given the sickness in Philadelphia -- believes that measure to be unnecessary, since the sickness rates are dropping and Congress will not yet convene for some time.
McHenry comments on a letter written by Pickering that found itself published in a newspaper. Also encloses a packet that he requests be sent to the President.
Pay roll accounts for May and June received. Credit to account of Kalteisen. Kalteisen also credited for the bounty and premium of two recruits charged in last account transmitted to Office.
Simmons received several letters from Claiborne enclosing receipts for bounty paid. Sum will be passed to the credit of Claiborne's recruiting account. Further sum forwarded to Carrington to be paid to Claiborne for recruiting services.
Letter enclosing receipts of Lieut. Ferdinand Claiborne received. Sum of $317.00 passed to the credit of Carrington's account. Carrington will receive further sum from Treasurer of United States for Claiborne's recruiting services.
Craig sorry Hodgdon was deserted by his assistants, hoped that the upcoming season will bring health back to Philadelphia and induce them to return to the city. Waggoners in need of money for return travel, provisions arrived late, Craig will attend to them with all expediency.
Enclosed is Matthew Ernest's draft on Hodgdon for one thousand dollars drawn in favor of Hugh McClure that Hodgdon is asked to accept and return to Meeker.
Miller has received from John Chester, Supervisor for the District of Connecticut, the sum of $92, being the pay of himself and his men for September 1797.
